Yamaha RX-A3000 Aventage 11.2 Networking A/V Receiver Review

by Clint DeBoer — last modified December 23, 2010

Contributors: Gene DellaSala

Summary

Product Name: Yamaha RX-A3000 Aventage 11.2 Networking A/V Receiver
Manufacturer: Yamaha Electronics
Performance Rating:
Value Rating:
Review Date: December 23, 2010 23:10
MSRP: $ 1799.95

Specifications

Channels: 7.2

RMS Output Power (20Hz - 20kHz): 140W x 7

Total Power (20Hz - 20kHz): 980W

Audio

Dolby TrueHD

Dolby Digital EX / Pro Logic IIx

DTS-HD Master Audio

DTS-ES Discrete 6.1

DTS 96/24 / DTS Neo:6

Pure Direct

D/A Conversion: 192 kHz / 24 bit

Selectable Subwoofer Crossover (9-band)

Video

Time Base Corrector

HDMI 3D Capable

Analog Video to HDMI Upconversion (up to 1080p)

HDMI Video Adjustments (Adjustable)

HDMI to HDMI Upscaling

HDMI Video Processing (HQV Vida)

Component Video Upconversion

S-Video Upconversion

5th Foot w/ Anti-Resonance Technology

Low Jitter PLL Circuitry (Ultra Low)

H-shape Cross Member Frame

Symmetrical Power Amplifier Layout

Connections

HDMI 1.4a (In/Out): 8/2

Component Video (In/Out): (4/1)

A/V Inputs (S-Video): 5

Optical Inputs: 4

Coaxial inputs: 3

Optical Outputs: 1

Front A/V with Digital Input (HDMI/S-Video/Optical0)

Front USB Input For Flash Memory Drives

RS-232C Interface

8-Channel Decoder Inputs

Advanced Features

Four SCENE Buttons

HD Radio Tuner

iPod Compatibility (With Optional YDS-11/12 or YID-W10)

Bluetooth Compatibility

Compressed Music Enhancer

Network Receiver Functions (DLNA 1.5/Win 7/Rhapsody/SIRIUS/Internet Radio)

SIRIUS Satellite Radio Ready

HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC)

HDMI CEC (Consumer Electronics Control)

HDMI Standby-through (can change inputs)

Dialogue Lift

YPAO (w/Optimizer Microphone)

On-Screen Display (also w/ Zone GUI)

Auto Power Down

Web Browser Control

Learning Remote w/macro Capability

DSP Programs: 17

Custom Features

12V Trigger Outputs (x 2)

Assignable Power Amp

Channel Expandability w/ Ext. Amp (Up to 11.2)

Zone Speaker Terminals

Zone 2 Output (Component / Composite)

Zone 3 Output (Component / Composite)

Zone 4 Output (Optical)

Zone Power Switching

Zone Remote Control

IR Inputs/Outputs (x 2)

Receiver Manager Software

Pre-Out All Channels

Dimensions: 17-1/8" W x 7-1/8" H x 16-7/8" D

Weight: 37.5 lbs.

Pros

Tons of configurability options
HDMI standby pass-through (can change inputs)
Dual configurable subwoofer outputs
Supports full 11.2 home theater use
iPad and iPhone app controllable

Cons

Over abundant configurable options can be confusing
Not compatible with MusicCast Gen 1
Bulky and poorly designed remote control

Introduction

AV receivers are constantly changing, constantly leap-frogging one another in features and capabilities. This year Yamaha announced its Aventage (RX-A) line and, in the process, jumped over a lot of the competition. And not a little jump, more like an Olympic gold medal long jump. Much of that jump is simply in the way of value – we mean the Aventage line in general has build quality and features that seem like it should cost a lot more than it does. The RX-A3000 takes that to the 'nth' degree. There are five receivers in the Aventage lineup and the RX-A3000 is the flagship. This 11.2 channel (140wpc x 7) A/V behemoth has endless configuration options, including dual independent subwoofer outputs, full power amp assignability, simultaneous usage of front effect and back channels, full 3D support, and HDMI Standby with switchable inputs even when the receiver is powered down. If you’re ready for the future, the RX-A3000 is ready to serve you in every capacity. It has proven itself to be a worthy and most importantly less costly successor to the venerable RX-Z7.

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gene posts on December 09, 2011 22:55

ichigo;847078
Actually it was pretty easy to see the capacitors, I took a look inside. 2 x 12,000uf, 2x 6,800uf, so 37,600uf total.

12,000uf caps seem pretty popular these days; I saw them in some Denons. I think pretty much everyone is just getting their stuff sourced from the same places these days.

The 6,800uF caps are not part of the power supply for the amp section. The 2 x 12,000uF caps are for the amp section.

ichigo posts on December 09, 2011 22:18

Actually it was pretty easy to see the capacitors, I took a look inside. 2 x 12,000uf, 2x 6,800uf, so 37,600uf total.

12,000uf caps seem pretty popular these days; I saw them in some Denons. I think pretty much everyone is just getting their stuff sourced from the same places these days.

amppeters posts on December 09, 2011 04:24

I believed the Yamaha 3000 last night. And I just have to say WOW, to bad I cannot modify the dimension the people, because these are BIG WOW.Ok, they have only been performed for about 20 a long time, so I think there would be added WOW to get from them.I am getting them from audio solutions as many threads suggested them.

3db posts on November 14, 2011 17:16

ichigo;841288
Large capacitors are when a large discharge of power is needed for an immediate transient. That's different than running an RMS test with no speakers and measuring the output at the end of the circuit with a wattmeter.

Large discharges you are refferring too are musical transients that are very short in duration.

gene posts on November 14, 2011 15:43

Why is the actual size of the capacitor caps not noted? I notice for all the other flagship receiver reviews, the size in microfarads is noted...Conspicuously absent in this review.

Perhaps it's significantly smaller than expected and thus worth not mentioning...

Or perhaps the caps were not easily readable b/c they were tightly packed into the receiver so we didn't comment. I would make an educated guess based on performance than this receiver has a very similar power structure to the RX-Z7 I reviewed which had 2 x 18,000uF 71V caps.